Underage Drinking
Delaware Underage Drinking Defense Lawyer
High School Prom season is dangerous in Delaware. Statistics show roughly a third of alcohol-related teen traffic fatalities occur between April and June, peak prom season.
Parents, please make sure your teens are safe. Advise them not to get behind the wheel if they have been drinking. More importantly, teach them not to get in the car with someone who has been drinking too. A teenager arrested for driving under the influence is a life-changing event. We at the Law Offices of, Phillips & Gay strive to limit the negative consequences on your child’s future.
Keeping Your Child Out Of The Criminal Justice System
One of the problems with the justice system is that it tends to treat all people alike, rather than considering a child’s individual circumstances. It often offers harsh penalties for relatively minor offenses. For example, if your child commits a technical violation of probation while going through a state counseling program, he or she can end up back before a judge and face severe consequences.
Understanding The Consequences Of Underage Drinking
All the time we hear, “I didn’t know the consequences of a DUI underage.” Not knowing how serious the consequences are can put your child at higher risk.
In Delaware, you must be 21 years of age to legally purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. If you are caught drinking and driving while under the age of 21, you should know that Delaware has very strict mandatory laws. These penalties include fines, fees, and license suspension. In addition, you may also be subject to your school, college, university, or institution’s administrative penalties.
For a first-time offender, the consequences for underage drinking or underage drunk driving include license suspension and extensive fines. However, these criminal consequences may seem relatively minor when compared to the full spectrum of consequences.
These days, colleges and employers are routinely examining criminal records when making admissions and hiring decisions. A criminal conviction may adversely affect a child’s future opportunities well beyond the length of the sentence.
Additionally, alcohol offenses come with enhanced penalties for multiple convictions. Many kids are caught drinking underage when they come down to Delaware’s beaches before they head off to college.
Juvenile DUIi Defense
Once convicted of an Underage Driving Under The Influence charge in Delaware the penalties are mandatory and non-negotiable. A very sound strategy may be attempting to have your case dismissed for various reasons.
A dismissal is your best chance of avoiding the consequences of a DUI. First of all, a dismissal will guarantee you avoid jail time and fines. Also, a dismissal will wipe the DUI charges from your record.
They may argue many possible reasons to dismiss the case. Your lawyer may determine and argue to dismiss your charges on the following grounds:
- No probable cause to stop the driver.
- Improperly administered or calibrated breathalyzer test.
- Not enough evidence to charge the juvenile with a DUI.
Your child’s future is on the line. Trust a qualified Delaware Underage DUI Lawyer to help with your child’s defense.
Attorney Consultation
If your child has been accused of underage drinking or DUI, we would like to meet with you and your child in person to discuss your case. To schedule a free initial consultation at our office in Georgetown, please call 302-855-9300. Or contact us via email.
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